Bauxite mining proposal will be cancelled, says Naidu

TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu accompanied by his son Lokesh and former minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy after finishing the 206th day during the 'Vasthunna Meekosam' padayatra in Visakhapatnam. Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam

Development of city as IT hub part of district declaration

TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu has declared that the party will annul the proposal for bauxite mining in the Agency area of the district. During his ‘Vastunna Meekosam’ padayatra in the district in Pendurti constituency on Friday, he said the problem of endowment land in the five villages would be solved and the eligible given pattas.

Other highlights of the district declaration are: developing Visakhapatnam as IT hub, completion of VIMS works going on for six years, pattas to the poor living in Survey No.275 of the Simhachalam hill, completion of Polavaram project to ensure water for drinking and agriculture, controlling pollution in the city to safeguard health of people, 24-hour operations at the airport, completion of dams and check- dams under minor and minor irrigation, development of 50 km of R&B road in each Assembly constituency, more employment to locals in industries, and development of four-lane road between Anakapalle and Anandapuram.

Promises

Mr. Naidu also announced a “Declaration for Women” during his padayatra in the district.

The declaration promises a deposit of Rs.25,000 for girl-child at the time of birth so as to provide Rs.2 lakh by the time she grows up, reducing the burden of DWCRA loans, interest free loans up to Rs.1 lakh, 10 LPG cylinders on subsidy, free bicycles to girl students, equal rights for education, reservation for women in Assembly/Parliament, steps to prevent sexual harassment at workplace, special squads to check eve-teasing, stronger laws to prevent infanticide, more steps to ensure well-being of girls and infants, more opportunities for jobs and employment, strengthening of DWCRA, more rural employment opportunities, training in stitching and garment-making to employable girls and better entrepreneurial and business opportunities.

Slideshow

Workers carryingout repairs to Visakhapatnam District Collector's Office, as it was damaged in Cyclone Hudhud in 2014 October. The majestic heritage building was designed and built by Dutch engineering company Gannon Dunkerly in 1865 and completed by 1914. Photos: C.V. Subrahmanyam